Israel show - Perfect end.

30 September 1997

Israel show - Perfect end.

Israel show - Perfect end. Bono's enthusiasm for Israel ends this leg of the tour on a positive note.

After three whole days off in our Cretan paradise, going back to work comes as something of a shock to the system, but Bono's excitement about going to Israel was infectious enough to provide the required energy for all of us. He said that Israel is a place he has always wanted to visit, ever since he was a kid, so to come for the first time with this show was a perfect way to finish this part of the tour. It was a complete and utter fly-past, of course, as we (in the band party) spent a total of about six hours in the country, but we had a good show and there was a very positive vibe in the place, despite the armed and uniformed teenagers which make up part of the Israeli scenery.

So, we conclude this European leg and we certainly finished on a high. One of the greatest things about this section of the tour has been seeing U2 play in countries they haven't visited before. The crowds have been so big and so receptive. Going back to North America will be a change of pace as Europe is certainly a more difficult place to tour, less predictable, not to mention all the language and currency issues. It has to be said that this past leg has had about as tough a touring schedule as the music industry has yet managed to devise, but you know, there have been some extraordinary moments. This tour and the energy of these crowds I won't forget for a long time yet.